Can endometrial polyps heal by themselves?

Written by Wang Jing Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on January 20, 2025

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Some endometrial polyps are self-healing, so not all endometrial polyps require surgical treatment. This is often because endometrial polyps are related to recent endocrine states, and some can be managed with hormonal medications, while others may be expelled during a menstrual period. Therefore, if the endometrial polyp does not cause any symptoms, such as abnormal bleeding, impact on pregnancy, or is large enough to cause infertility, it is possible to observe regularly without immediate diagnostic curettage surgery.

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Do uterine polyps affect pregnancy?

Endometrial polyps refer to the hyperplasia of the endometrial lining due to inflammatory stimuli, resulting in many polypoid tissues. Whether endometrial polyps affect pregnancy mainly depends on the number and size of the polyps, and whether they cause clinical symptoms. First, if the polyps are small and few in number without causing an increase in menstrual flow, they generally do not affect pregnancy and do not require removal of the endometrial polyps, as removing them could instead easily damage the function of the endometrial lining. Second, if the polyps are large, over one centimeter, or there are multiple endometrial polyps, and they cause an increase in menstrual volume, this indicates that the endometrial polyps have impacted the woman's body. In such cases, it is necessary to use a hysteroscope to remove the endometrial polyps before trying to conceive.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie

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Endometrial polyp pain sensation

Do endometrial polyps feel painful? Generally, endometrial polyps do not cause any pain unless there is malignant transformation. In such cases, one might experience discomfort or a dragging pain in the lower abdomen. How are endometrial polyps typically diagnosed? They are diagnosed due to clear changes such as excessively heavy menstrual flow. An ultrasound can reveal polyps, or if the menstrual flow is too heavy, a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure is performed, and the material removed is sent for pathological examination to confirm the presence of endometrial polyps. If the polyp is small, it can be left alone as 27% of them resolve on their own. However, if the polyp is large and causes changes in menstruation or affects fertility, a hysteroscopy is necessary.

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Written by Shen Li Wen

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Symptoms of endometrial polyp malignancy

When endometrial polyps in women undergo malignant transformation, it can lead to a large amount of vaginal discharge. This discharge may be accompanied by a foul odor, which could possibly be due to an associated infection. Additionally, when endometrial polyps undergo malignant transformation and form tumors, their growth rate accelerates, and the blood supply may not meet the growth needs of the polyps. This may lead to localized ulceration and bleeding, causing women to experience irregular vaginal bleeding. This bleeding can manifest as blood streaks in vaginal discharge or as persistent vaginal bleeding. As the tumor gradually enlarges, it increases the pressure in the uterine cavity, leading to abdominal pain in some women.

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Written by Yue Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

38sec

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How to investigate endometrial polyps?

Endometrial polyps require an ultrasound examination to be detected, as they are located within the uterine cavity and cannot be seen by a gynecological examination alone. Under ultrasound, one can see a polyp-like object in the uterine cavity, which usually measures only a few millimeters, although some may be about ten or more millimeters in size. Certainly, if possible, a hysteroscopy can also identify them. However, generally, an ultrasound is conducted first to observe the endometrial polyps, followed by a hysteroscopy to remove them.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan

Obstetrics and Gynecology

53sec

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Can endometrial polyps heal by themselves?

Firstly, endometrial polyps cannot heal on their own. There are many causes of endometrial polyps, one being excessive levels of estrogen in the body; another is long-term gynecological inflammation stimulation, such as from abortions or childbirth surgical procedures, which can lead to the formation of endometrial polyps; furthermore, high blood pressure and obesity are also high-risk factors for endometrial polyps. Therefore, once endometrial polyps occur, this condition cannot heal on its own. It requires a hysteroscopic examination three to seven days after menstruation has ended to confirm if it is indeed an endometrial polyp. If confirmed as an endometrial polyp, further hysteroscopic endometrial polypectomy is needed, followed by further pathological examination after the surgery.